Gateshead Thunder will keep their slim Northern Rail Cup hopes alive if they beat National League One strugglers Barrow Raiders at the Thunderdome tonight.

Victory in the rearranged game would give Gateshead their first double since they reformed five years ago, but a first appearance in the quarter-finals would still depend on other results.

Workington Town would have to win their Good Friday derby at First Division Whitehaven and Thunder would then need to beat 'Haven in the final group clash on April 6.

Such a scenario would put the Tynesiders in the play-offs for the last eight and coach Dean Thomas is determined that his side remain on track for the knock-out stages.

"We're looking for Workington to do us a favour but we're approaching the Barrow tie as a must-win game and will be going all out to record our first double."

"A third victory of the season will keep our qualification hopes alive, will give us our first double and a morale- boosting win ahead of the National League Two opener at Workington on Easter Monday."

Thomas will hand a debut to highly-rated teenage back Joe Brown after the former London Broncos Academy player returned early from a loan deal with Australian giants Newcastle Knights.

Australian backs Wade Liddell and Joe Burley will return after a two-match absence if they are cleared to play after suffering concussion.

Captain Stephen Rutherford however is set to miss out after requiring 13 stitches in a head wound at the weekend and there are fitness doubts over three other players.

Thunder won 35-28 at Barrow on the opening day of the season and the troubled Raiders have lost all five NRC group games, including a 42-2 defeat by Whitehaven on Sunday.

"We're just not good enough," said Barrow coach Peter Roe. "We tried hard against Whitehaven but we're not as good as were when we won division two last year. We were down to 16 available players against 'Haven and we're paying the penalty for over- achievement last year."